“If I had to dream up somebody like Hank to influence songwriters, I couldn’t have done a better job,” Johnson says. “That’s what he was — not just for me, but for Willie and for a lot of people — just a helpful friend. If he knew you needed help with something, he could help you. He was there. And that’s what I want to be for the people in my life, same as Hank. He influenced me, not only as an artist and songwriter, but also as a person.”

“Well, really, when you start talking about songwriters, you’ve got to say his name first,” Nelson said. “Then you start talking about everybody else. I think everybody would agree that Hank was the best writer up there.”

“It’s important historically for people to know who Hank Cochran was and what he did. He always wanted to be the Hemingway of country music, and I think he did it,” Haggard said.

Here is the track listing for Livin’ for a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran: